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WHY NJEC?

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"THE NIGEL JAMES ELITE COACHING PROGRAMME IS ABOUT PURE BALL MASTERY AND DELIVERY WITH PANACHE, TO ULTIMATELY CREATE ELITE TECHNICIANS OF THE GAME."

NIGEL JAMES

Reece James

"Through my father’s efforts and encouragement I feel confident in my game and I am constantly improving and evolving. His coaching is the very best that any youth player could hope to experience and any player at his academy can succeed if they work hard and follow the Nigel James method. As a Chelsea academy graduate and now first-team player, I credit my achievements to date to my dad and all those hours of coaching, advice and mentoring he has provided me with.”

Lauren James

"My dad has been the inspiration behind my football and has helped me every step of the way. I grew up playing with my brothers and wanted to play like them; I have always loved the game. I am grateful to my dad for all the time, effort and love that he has put into my football by coaching me in order to help me reach the very best level and fulfil my full potential. It is thanks to him that I am playing in the Women’s Super League today.”

Track Record

Players that have progressed from Nigel James Elite Coaching to professional clubs…

Lauren James
Lauren JamesManchester United and England
Zachariah Medley
Zachariah MedleyArsenal and England
Timmy Odusima
Timmy OdusimaNorwich City
Reece James
Reece JamesChelsea FC and England
Cameron Green
Cameron GreenWatford
Jack Rudoni
Jack Rudoni AFC Wimbledon
Lucas Defise
Lucas DefiseSouthampton and Belgium
David Boateng
David BoatengCrystal Palace
Josh Okocha
Josh OkochaWest Ham
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From The Industry

"I have known Nigel for the past eight years and in this time he has successfully run his coaching schools and has played a number of games against various development centres. When I have seen his teams play, they have been well organised and disciplined. Nigel is a good coach, has a good knowledge of the game and has a desire to help players reach their full potential."
Roy Massey
Roy MasseyArsenal FC - Retired Assistant Academy Manager (over 30 years in the professional game)
"I first met Nigel while working as the Academy Manager at Crystal Palace FC over a decade ago. He has an excellent reputation for identifying and coaching players in the London area. It’s has amazed me over this period the wealth of contacts that he has established both in professional clubs and grassroots football. Nigel has had the opportunity to be involved at both Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC in the time that I’ve known him which obviously has made him aware of the professional standards and levels of elite footballers. Coaching has always been Nigel’s passion and through his elite development centre he has developed players from grassroots to international standard."
Paul Lowe
Paul LoweTottenham Hotspur - Head of Academy Recruitment / ex-Liverpool FC - Senior Academy Recruitment Officer / ex-Crystal Palace - Academy Manager
"Nigel James Elite Coaching is a great concept. It enables kids with varying football abilities to have the extra training and coaching required to further their careers. Kids who are not in professional academies or those released from clubs have a great opportunity to regain their confidence to get back into the footballing ranks. For the kids that are at pro clubs, well, they get even more training and I’m a believer in the old adage that practice makes perfect! I have known Nigel for years, his footballing contacts are second to none and the coaches he uses are right up there with the top ones."
Tony Gale
Tony GaleSky Sports pundit / ex-professional footballer
"Having known Nigel professionally for nearly a decade, working closely together through Reading Football Club, his knowledge and experience of recruitment in youth football continues to impress me. Throughout each and every individual instance Nigel has conducted himself with honesty and integrity in providing the club with essential knowledge and expertise. His ability to understand the many and varied pressures of the environment whilst ensuring that neither his own values, nor those of the organisations with which he associates himself, are compromised is testament to his character and will continue to serve him well in the future. I can confidently endorse Nigel’s ability, professionalism and reliability in all matters relating to football and look forward to continuing our working relationship in years to come."
Lee Herron
Lee HerronArsenal - Head of Academy Football Operations / ex-Reading - Academy Manager
"I have known Nigel for a number of years and have always found him to be the consummate professional as both a coach and mentor. Nigel is an expert at getting the very best from his talented youth players and has had incredible results at his coaching academy with a number of boys going on to the top academies in the country. It is always a pleasure collaborating with Nigel and I wish him the best in his future endeavours."
Kevin Betsy
Kevin BetsyEngland - U-16 Head Coach / ex-Fulham - U-16 Head Coach
"After forming a professional football club's academy and seeing it grow over 15 years, I have seen thousands of coaching sessions and strived to create a first-class learning environment. At Nigel James Elite Coaching, I have experienced an outstanding culture of learning and nurturing. The coaching sessions are of the highest standard where the player's needs are always put first."
Mark Robinson
Mark RobinsonAFC Wimbledon - First-Team coach, Loans Manager and Founder of the Dons' Academy.
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From The Players

“I first started training with Nigel at the age of 12 after my release from AFC Wimbledon. Since then Nigel and his coaches have worked me very hard and have helped me improve my technical and tactical understanding of the game immensely. Since joining Nigel James Elite Coaching I have represented Chelsea FC, Southamton FC and Belgium at youth level. I owe all of this to Nigel and his staff.”
Lucas Defise
Lucas DefiseChelsea FC / Southampton FC / Belgium
"Training at the Nigel James Elite coaching has been very beneficial to me. It's a place where I have gained brilliant technical training and tactical understanding of the game. Training is very disciplined and the expectations are high, this has helped my concentration levels in training and games. It's a place where you get the chance to express yourself as well as improving speed of thought on the pitch. Whenever I get the chance to train at Nigel James Elite Coaching (usually the off season) I will go as it will only improve me as a player. The environment is fantastic and it is a great place to be."
Zechariah Medley
Zechariah MedleyArsenal FC / Chelsea FC
"Coaches at Nigel James Elite Coaching have been exceptional in helping me develop the individual aspects I had difficulties with before. They are keen and enthusiastic in motivating all players, as a team and individually. The staff always make time for individuals, not only with football but they also get to know you on a personal level. I recommend this programme to footballers of all ages and skills, you will feel welcomed and it will further increase your footballing ability enabling you to reap the benefits. I have enjoyed coming here and feel like a role model to the younger players, this is due to the coaches giving me responsibilities, enabling me to further my confidence in supporting and leading."
Ryan King-Elliot
Ryan King-ElliotCrystal Palace FC
"Nigel James Elite Coaching gives me the opportunity to train with boys of all ages from different academies and clubs who are as focussed on their football as I am. I enjoy the challenge this gives me each week and I also now have a wide circle of friends. The coaches are used to training at academy level and the tempo of the sessions are always high. As a result I now have quick, skilful feet and confidence as a player."
Rudi Rudoni
Rudi RudoniAFC Wimbledon
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From The Parents

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“I am so impressed the coaching Lucas has received since joining Nigel James Elite Coaching. I have seen a real improvement not only in Lucas’s skills but the way he thinks and reacts on the pitch. Most importantly Lucas feels he has made great strides since joining and is even more focussed on improving and learning from everyone.”   
Stephanie Bloom
Stephanie Bloom
“Our son Oliver is now a scholarship player with Forest Green Rovers. We believe that if he hadn’t attended Nigel James Elite Coaching he wouldn’t be where he is now. Oliver’s footwork, fitness, ball control and touch have all improved immensely. Nigel’s attention to detail and the way he coaches is second to none and very unique. Nigel James Elite Coaching is by far the most professional, disciplined and focussed training we have ever seen.”
Hayley & Joe Artwell
Hayley & Joe Artwell
“It is beyond comprehension the change in ability and confidence Harry now has, something we were unsure he would be able to bring to the surface. Nigel James and his programme has propelled my son to a completely different level and the possibilities for him are so exciting. After having rejection at a young age from professional football clubs we were left unsure if he had the skill-set and capability to strive forward, but Nigel and his team have extracted a newfound confidence in him that we weren’t aware he possessed. There truly isn’t anywhere else we would rather our son be than with Nigel James Elite Coaching.”
Bill Shires
Bill Shires
“My son joining Nigel’s Elite Coaching is the best decision we ever made! There is no doubt that Nigel and his team of coaches have a deep love of football along with in-depth expertise of the game. This is evident not only during training but also in the post-training talks. The time and dedication they give to players is second to none and, as parents, we feel the respect and admiration the players have towards the staff in return. It is remarkable to see past players, who have joined academies and professional teams, still come back to train during the off-season. This only goes to show the outstanding level of training at Nigel James Elite Coaching.”
Céleste Murad
Céleste Murad
"If it weren’t for Nigel, Tommy would not be where he is today. Nigel’s dedication to him and us as a family has been unfailing. Tommy’s footwork has improved immeasurably and he has become super fit. This along with Tommy’s ability to move, has made a huge difference to his game and has led to him signing with Sheffield United. We want to thank Nigel for getting Tommy here. Without Nigel’s time and Tommy’s dedication he would not be where he is today."
Julie & Tom Williams
Julie & Tom Williams
"Luther attended Nigel James Elite Coaching because of Nigel's unparalleled reputation as a coach. Nigel identified the weaknesses in my son's game and stated that, given 6 months of extensive training at the academy, he would be up to the standard necessary for a trial with a Premier League club. True to his word, 6 months later, he was signed by Chelsea FC and after several seasons there has now signed a scholarship with Sheffield Utd. I am so grateful for Nigel's dedication and expertise getting my son to this level and helping to fulfil this milestone in his football."
Helen Williams
Helen Williams
"My daughter, Lucy, has benefitted from the expert coaching of Nigel and his team, both helping her to retain her place in the Chelsea School of Excellence and the England ISFA team."
Simon Withers
Simon Withers
"By far the most professional, organised, disciplined, focused and high intensity training sessions ever experienced. Nigel helped my son gain confidence and composure when on the ball as well as exceptional technical ability and vision on the pitch."
George Kalathias
George Kalathias
"I would describe Nigel as a unique blend and breed of coach, or teacher. His overriding objectives are to get it right and his attention to detail is second to none. Both my kids are constantly challenged and there is no comfort zone, no place to hide which allows for complacency and stagnation. As a result, both kids have, over time, made dramatic improvements in their abilities and have learned the virtues of dedicated, application and effort. If only Nigel could also teach maths and science!"
David Wilkinson
David Wilkinson
"The early core focus with Jack was on high quality touch, first time passing and developing very fast feet and best in breed fitness. Undoubtedly these techniques supported Jack's selection into Crystal Palace's academy."
Mark O’Connor
Mark O’Connor
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  • +44 (0) 7854 160 710
  • info@nigeljameselitecoaching.com

GOALS Soccer Centre
Wimbledon
Beverley Way
KT3 4PH

Players & Parents Handbook​

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  • GOALS Soccer Centre
    Wimbledon
    Beverley Way
    KT3 4PH

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CONTACT US

  • +44 (0) 7854 160 710
  • info@nigeljameselitecoaching.com

All players attending the Nigel James Elite Coaching Programme will receive a Players Handbook and be given a full training kit.

Sessions are held at GOALS Soccer Centre Wimbledon – Beverley Way, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4PH

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Luke Medley

Assistant Manager

Technical Development

Luke started his football career at Protec Football Academy, where he was picked up by Barnet. At 17, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur U18s before penning his first professional contract at the age of 18 with Bradford City, where he scored the winning goal with his first touch in senior football. 

Luke then went on to play for Barnet, Aldershot, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City and Kidderminster Harriers before a long-term injury put his playing career on hold. This saw Luke embark on his coaching journey with Nigel James Elite Coaching back in 2012, where he was handed the platform to learn and develop his coaching skills. 

Luke now specialises in technical development and has worked at academies such as Crystal Palace FC, Chelsea FC and Fulham FC Foundation. Currently in the last stages of the UEFA A license course, Luke has a great rapport with every single player at Nigel James Elite Coaching. He takes time to get to know each individual and thrives in bringing the best out of the players both on and off the pitch.